Phonograph



Aug. 4, 1931. N. c. DURAND ET AL PHONOGRAPH Filed March 29, 1929 2 SheetsSheet 1 if? f INVENTORS. 71mm 5 EMMA. r 0" TZ fiawa l w BY FL A TTORNEK Aug. 4, 1931. N. c. DURAND ET AL PHONOGRAPH Filed March 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS:

7 m CZM J f y a BY gmA-km-v A [TORNEX Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NELSON C. DURAND, OF EAST ORANGE, AND SAM G. LANGLEY, 0F MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO THOMAS A. EDISON, INCORPORATED, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PHONOGEAPH Application filed March 29, 1929. Serial No. 850,918.

Our invention relates to phonographs, and more particularly to phonographs of the business or commercial type which are designed both for recording and reproducing dictation.

Business phonographs designed to be used for dictating purposes are so constructed and arranged that the recording and reproducing means thereof may be set or adjusted, either to neutral position, or to recording position or to reproducing position, andalso so that such recording and reproducing means may be moved or spaced back at any time, with respect to the record cylinder or tablet, and all or any desired part of the matter previously recorded on such tablet reproduced. An operator in using such a business phono-- graph or dictating machine, howerer, is frequently interrupted or his attention is otherwise distracted and after such an interruption or distraction he is likely to begin to dictate with the machine improperly set for recording dictation, that is, with the machine set or adjusted in either neutral or reproducing position, in which event, of course, no record would be made of the matter dictated.

Such occurrences are extremely annoying, for

in addition to wasting the time of the operator, they'break his train of thought and i he may be unable later to recall the exact Way in which certain matter may have been previously dictated by him or, perhaps, even to recall the gist or sense of such matter.

The primary object of our invention is to provide a busmess phonograph or dictating machine with improved means for effectually guarding against the possibility of an operator dictating to the machine except when properly set or adjusted in operative recording osition. v Another object of our invention is to provide improved Warning means for this purpose, which is of simple construction and economical to manufacture, and which is adapted to be made as an attachment capable of be ing readily applied to dictating machines in use.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved and simple construction whereby Whenever the dictating machine is set or adjusted otherwise than in recording position, a warning device, or an operable part thereof, will be set or adjusted for operation by means provided for actuating the same.

A still further object of our invention is to provide an improved arrangement whereby a continuous but referabl intermittent signal, preferably 0 an audi le character, Wlll be given as long as the machine is operated when set in neutral or reproducing positlon or in any position other than that or recording.

Other objects and features of our inven" tion will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In order that our invention may be more clearly understood, attention is vdirected to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure l is a plan view, partly broken away, of a phonograph or dictating machine embodying a preferred form of our invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view in elevation, partly broken awa and partly in section, looking from the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of the warning device and the actuating means therefor, showing the parts in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view, similar to Fig. 3, showing the trip device or lever of the warning device both in operative and inoperative positions;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan View of the trip hammer device and its mounting; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the actuator for operating the warning device.

Referring to the drawings, reference character (1) represents the mandrel of the phonograph and (2) the shaft of said mandrel, which shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing (3) mounted on the top plate (4) of the phonograph frame or cabinet. Reference character (5) represents a pulley which is rotatably mounted in fixed position on a stud (6) secured in a suitable bearing carried by a standard (7) provided at one end of the top plate (4) said pulley being driven by belt ('8) from a suitable motor (not shown) enclosed in the phonograph cabinet.

' shaft. The engagement and disengagement of said clutch members and thereby the operation of the mandrel are controlled by suit- .able means comprising a pivoted yoke or arm (11) which engages an annular groove (12) provided in the clutch member (10).

Reference character (13) represents the usual carriage or arm on which the combined recorder and reproducer (14) is supported, said arm being provided with bosses (15) and (16) by which it is slidably mounted on back and front rods (17) and (18), said rods being mounted, in parallel relation to the mandrel shaft (2), in suitable bearings carried by the standard (7) and a similar standard, not shown, at the opposite end of top plate (4). The arm (13) is arranged to be fed along the rods (17) and (18) to cause the combination recorder and reproducer (14) to traverse a record cylinder R mounted on mandrel (1), by means of a feed screw (20) rotatably mounted at its ends on suitable conical bearings which are carried by the standards at the ends of the top plate, and a coacting feed nut, not shown, mounted on the arm. The feed screw (20) is arranged to be driven at a reduced speed from the mandrel shaft (2) by means of a gear (21) fixed to the shaft anda larger gear (22) secured to the feed screw and meshing with gear (21). Gear (22) is fixed to the feed screw (20) by a set screw (23) which is threaded through the hub (24) of the gear and the head of which extends outwardly a slight distance r from said hub.

The setting or adjustment of the recorderreproducer (14) with respect to a record cylinder R onthe mandrel 1), is controlled by suitable means comprising an arm or lever (25) mounted in the boss (16) of arm (13) and extending outwardly through a slot (26) in said boss. The front rod (18) is mounted for turning movement in its bearings, and has a longitudinally extending groove or slot (18') which is engaged by a suitable key or lug, not shown, provided on the control arm tral position with the recorder-reproducer mechanism in inoperative relation to a record cylinder mounted on mandrel 1) and with the feed nut carried by arm (13 disengaged from feed screw (20) and when said arm is in a position at the rear end of slot (26), corresponding to its dotted line posltion (25"), in Fig. 2, theparts will be adjusted in reproducing position.

The construction so far described is that of a dictating machine of well known make and constitutes, per se, no part of the present invention; and while the specific form of our invention disclosed herein is designed for and shown as applied to such a machine, it

is to be understood that ourinvention may be embodied in other forms and appliedto dictating machines of other types and makes.

As hereinbefore indicated, the operator of such amachine may be frequently interrupted or have his attention otherwise distracted, and under these circumstances it is likely that upon resuming the use of the machine, he will start dictating when the machine is set or adjusted either in neutral or in reproducing position. To guard against any such contingency, we have provided means whereby the operator upon starting or resuming the use of the phonograph or dictating machine will, in the. event that the latter is set or adjusted either in neutral or in reproducing position, be given a suitable warning or indication of the fact that the machine is improperly set for recording dictation. The warning or indication may be either of an audible or a visual character, but is preferably an audible'signal or warning; the arrangement preferably, though not necessarily, being such that a continuous, but preferably intermittent, warning or indication will be given as long as the machine is operated with the recorder-reproducer mechanism in any other setting or adjustment than that for recording dictation. Preferably the warning means comprises a signal device having a member which is movable to effect the sounding of the signal, means comprising a device or actuator, preferably movable in a given path, adapted to effect the operation of said movable member when the latter is in its path of movement, and means whereby such movable member is positioned in the path of said actuator whenever the machine is set in reproducing or neutral positionand is positioned out of said path whenever the machine is set in recording position.

The construction and arrangement of the specific form of warning means illustrated and the means for actuating the same will now be described. The signal device proper comprises a bell B and suitable striking means therefor carried by a bracket (28) which is secured by screws S to the top plate (4) in such a position that its main vertical portion is parallel to and closely adjacent the large gear (22) on feed screw- The striking means comprises an angular trip lever (29) pivotally mounted at its angle, by means of a pivot screw (30), on the bracket (28) at a point above the bell B and having secured thereto a spring arm or rod (31) carrying a hammer or striker lug (33) provided on the bracket (28) at its upper end extends into a notch formed in the end of the short arm of trip lever 29 and coacts with. the sides (34) and (35) of said notch to limit the pivotal movement of the lever. A pawl or latch (36) is pivoted on the long vert1cally extending arm of the trip lever (29), at a point 27 intermediate the ends of the arm. This pawl is so mounted on its pivot that gravity tendsto hold the same in full line position thereof shown in Figs. (2), (3) and (4), wherein a flattened surface provided on one end of the pawl engages a stop or lug (38) provided on the lever (29) at one side thereof, and the pointed end or tooth of the pawl projects from the other side of said lever. A coil spring (35) disposed about the pivot screw (30), engages at one end with an opening provided in the lug (33) of bracket (28) and embraces and bears against the lever 29) at its other end, the arrangem'ent being such that said spring constantly tends to hold said lever in the full line position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, with the side (34) of the notch in the lever against said lug.

The means for actuating the signal device comprises a member or actuator (40) which is preferably in the form of a split resilient sleeve and is snapped onto the feed screw 20) and frictionally held thereon in a position closely adjacent the hub (24) of gear (22). The split sleeve or actuator a bent arm (41) which projects outwardly from one side of the split and has a lateral projection (42) at its outer end arranged to be engaged by the head of set screw (23) when the feed screw is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 3 and 4, to thereby cause the actuator to rotate with the feed screw. The parts are so arranged that when lever (29) occupies the position shown in full lines in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the tooth of pawl (36) lies in the path of the rotary movement of the arm (41) of actuator (40). If the machine is then operated, arm (41) will in each rotation of feed screw (20) in the direction of the arrow (Figs. 2 and 3), engage pawl (36) and thereby move lever (29) to the dotted line position (29) (Fig. 3), and then move from engagement with said pawl, whereupon spring (35') will quickly return lever 29 to the full line position referred to and thereby effect the striking of bell B by hammer 32. Accordingly, as long as the parts are maintained in the relation just described, and the feed screw 20) is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the bell will be (32). Astop or F connecting said trip 40 has rung once in each rotation of said feed screw. Should the feed screw (20) be rotated in the opposite direction with lever (29) in the said full line position, arm (41) of the actuator will in each rotation of the feed screw, engage pawl (36), as indicated in dotted lines in ig. 3, and move the same about its pivot pin (37) to the dotted line position (36) (Fig. 3), without efi'ecting any movement of lever (29), and then pass from engagement with the pawl, whereupon the latter, under the action of gravity, will return to its former position in engagement with the stop of lug (38). Accordingly, under these conditions the bell will not be sounded. If lever (29) is moved to and maintained in the dotted line position (29") (Fig. 4) in which the side (34) of the notch in the lever engages lug (33), the signal device will not be actuated upon rotation of feed screw (20) as pawl (36) will then be located outside the path of actuator (40). A v

The setting of trip lever and inoperative positions with respect to actuator (40) is effected by movement of the control lever or arm 25, through the angularly movable front rod (18) and a linkage lever and front rod. This linkage comprises a link (44) adjustably secured at one end to rod (18) by a screw (45), and pivotally connected at its other end to one end of a link (46) by a pivot screw (47). The link (46) is provided with an elongated slot (48) which is engaged by a long horizontally extending pin or rod (49) secured to the upper end of the trip lever (29). The construction of said linkage and the connection thereof with rods (18) and (49) are such that when the control lever or arm (25) is set in neutral and reproducing positions the linkage will occupy the respective positions indicated in full lines and in dotted lines E (Fig. 2) and trip lever (29) will be held by spring (35) in operative position with respect to the actuator (40), but when said control lever is set in recording position said linkage will be in the dotted line position D (Fig. 2) and will then hold said trip lever in inoperative position (corresponding to the dotted line position (29) thereof in Fig. 4) with respect to actuator (40). It will accordingly be apparent that if the machine is operated when set in either neutral position or reproducing position, the bell B will be sounded once in each rotation of feed screw (20) and the operator will thus receive a continuous but intermittent warning or signal, while the machine is operated, of the fact that the machine is improperly set (29) to operative for recording dictation; and that no warning that the signal device should be inoperative in all settings of the machine. Accordingly,

we have provided link (44) with an opening 50 for the reception of the pivot screw 47; the location of said opening being such that when links (44) and (46) are connected thereat the effective length of the linkage is soreduced that the trip lever (29) will be held thereby in inoperative position with respect to the actuator (40) in all settings or adjustments of the machine.

It will be app warning means disclosed herein maybe made as an accessory or attachment adapted for ready application to dictating machines already in use.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiment of our invention shown and described herein is subject to numerous changes and modifications without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a phonograph, a device adapted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, and warning means including an actuator,'a member operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movableinto and out of said path, and means whereby said member'is positioned in said path whenever said device is in reproducing position, substantially as described.

2. In a phonograph, a device adapted to be adjusted to neutral, reproducing and recording positions, and warning means including an actuator, a member operable by said actuator when inthe path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means whereby said member is positioned in said path whenever said device is in either reproducing or neutral position, substantially as described.

3. In a phonograph, a device adapted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, and warning means including an actuator movable in a given path, a member operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means whereby said member is positioned in said path whenever said device is in reproducing position, substantially as described.

4. In a phonograph, a device adapted to be" adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, actuatingmeans, including a member movable in a given path, signal means including a trip, said trip being operable by said member when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means whereby said trip is positioned in said path whenever said device is in reproducing position, substantially as described.

5. In a phonograph, a device adapted to be adjusted to reproducing, and recording arent that our improved positions, an actuator, signal means comprising a bell and a trip lever having a hammer adapted to strike said bell, said trip lever being operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means whereb' said trip lever. is positioned in said pat whenever said device is in reproducing position, substantially as described.

6. In a phonograph, acarriage having a recording and reproducing mechanism mounted thereon, rods on which said carriage is mounted for traveling movement, means for adjusting said mechanism to various settings, and Warning means including an actuator, a. device operable by the actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means mounted On one of said rods in a given position longitudinally thereof and adapted upon movement of said adjusting means tocoact with said device to control the position thereof with respect to said actuator, substantially as described.

7. In a phonograph, a carriage supporting recording and reproducing mechanism, rods on which said carriage is mounted for traveling movement, means for adjusting said mechanism to various settings, and warning means including an actuator, a'trip device operable by said actuator when in the path .of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and a device controlled by said adjusting means for controlling the position of said trip device with respect to said actuator, one of said devices being mounted on one of said rods in a given position longitudinally thereof and being movable about the axis of said rod, substantially as described.

8. In a phonograph, a carriage having reording and reproducing mechanism mount- -ed thereon, rods on which said carriage is mounted for traveling movement, means for adjusting said mechanism to various settings, and warning means including an actuator, a member operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and a device controlled by said adjusting means for controlling the position of said member with respect to said actuator, said device being mounted on one of said rods in a given position longitudinally thereof and being movable about the axis of such ,rod, substantially as described.

9. In a phonograph, a carriage having recording and reproducing mechanism mounted thereon, rods on which said carriage is mounted for traveling movement, means for adjusting said mechanism to various settings, and warning means including an actuator, a member operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means for controlling the position of said member with respect to said actuator and comprising a device mounted on one of said rods, said device having connection with said adjusting means and being adapted to coact directly with said member, substantially as described. ,7

10. In a phonograph, mechanism adapted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, a warning device and means associated with said mechanism and warning device for causing the latter to give a continuing warning during a period of normal operation of the phonograph, whenever said mechanism is in reproducing position, substantially as described.

means associated with said mechanism and device for causing the latter to give a continuing warning during a period of normal operation of the phonograph, whenever said mechanism is in either reproducing or neutral position, substantially" as described 13. In a phonograph, mechanism adapted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, and warning means including a rotatable actuator, a device having a member movably mounted thereon, sald device being adjustable to carry said member into and out of the path of said actuator, and means whereb said device is positioned with said member 'sposed in said path whenever said mechanism is in re roducing position,

11. In a' phonograph, mechanism adapt warning means comprising a movably mountedmember biased to a given position and an actuator comprising a resilient split member sprung onto said rotatable member and having a portion adapted to engage and actuate said member when the latter is in said position, substantially as described.

16. In a phonograph, mechanism adapted to be adjusted to neutral, reproducing and recording positions, means including a control element for adjustin said mechanism, and warning means inclu ing an actuator, a member operable by said actuator when in the path of movement thereof and movable into and out of said path, and means intermediate said member and said control element including an adjustable device for controlling the position of said member with respect to said actuator, said controlling means being adapted in one adjustment of said device to hold said member out of the path of said actuator in all adjustments of said mechanism, substantially as described. This specification signed this 28th day of- March, 1929.

' NELSON C DURAND SAM G. LANGLEY.

said member being 0 ra le by said actuator to eifect actuation 0 said device only'wheri the actuator is rotated in one direction, substantially as'described.

14. In a phonograph, mechanism ada ted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions, and warning means including an actuator, a device having a pawl pivoted thereon and being adjustable to ca said pawl-into and out of the path of sai actuator, and means whereb said device is positioned with said pawl isposed in said path whenever said mechanism is in reproducing position, said pawl coacting'with said de- Vice to effect actuation thereof upon engagement of the pawl by the actuator only when the latter is moved in a given direction, substantially as described.

15. In a phonograph, mechanism adapted to be adjusted to reproducing and recording positions operating means 0 graph including a rotatable member, and

r the phone 

